The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-12-19
Mr.. Bagg's. Revenge.
The History of IA Portrait.

are two chiei landed prOprlclcib, Loiu oto'h,
to wit and Mr.. John Baggs. Peter Gander,
Baron stork, Is one of those wealthy gentle
men who were cnnobled not so very long ago
by a Conservative government for what are
somewhat mystcriously, II commonly called
'cminent political services. Before he became
II peer Mr.. Gander was fat, ford and vulgar
person OF genial appearance, but oil mean
and graspng disposition, and 1t cannot be
said that his elevation 10 the Upper House has
worked any noteworthy reformation, either In
his outer or inner man. The only difference
is that he is infinitely more pompous aud self
sssertlve than of old, has discovered that an
ancestor OF his came over with the Conqueror,
and has become strangely sensitive about his
personal appearance, which he tries to per
suadc himself is rather arlstocratlc and refined
than otherwise. To say that Lord stork Is
fat is to make OF him an enemy for life, ana
had he the power he would order to instant
execution the man who dared to lnsinuate that
his ylsage is rubcuud and his nose purple.
Lord stork lives at Blankton West, where he
breeds cattle and interests himself arter his
parslmonious fashion, In matters agricultural.
He has one great trouble in life and this 10
the close proximity of Mr.. John Baggs, whose
property matches with his own, and whose res
idence Is at Blankton East. Mr. John Baggs
Is by trade manufacturer of agricultural Inn
plements; bnt he is also the patentee OF that
world-renowned composition, Baggs's Food,
combining the beneficial properties of Reve-
lanta Arablca, Dr. Ridges Food for Infants
Thorley's Food for Cattle, Spratps Dog Bis
cults, and Lieblg's Extract Of Beef wide adj
vertisements).
A feryent hatred had always existed be-
tween the two gentlemen, the reasons for
which It Is unnecessary to detail. Perhaps
politics served them, for Mr.. Baggs is Radi'
cal; perhaps It was merely the result of close
propinquity, for when near neighbors do not
agree they generally 10th each other. One
thing at least is certain, Lord Stork has
never lost a chance of doing Mr., Baggs
bad turn, and had always spoken OF the Ia
nous 'Foodn in terms of contempt and
scorn; where as, to thwart Lord Stork In his
political schemes, to make him ridiculous In
the eyes of the county and to battle every
local plan has long been Mr.. Bogg's chiefest
delight.
How the enmity of these two personages
eliminated will now proceed TO narrate
IL all arose from his lordsnip's Inflated de-
termination to have his portrait painted by
an eminent X. A., and to see 1t hung upon
The line at the Royal Academy Lord Stork
having come to THIS resolve, 1t became
necessary for him to fix upon an academIcian
TO whom he should intrust the important
task of reproducing his features on canvas.
OF art he knew as much as one of his own
81 a. hut ,.ia ~ 1 hp
heard so much about the fame OF Mr..
Raphael Stumble, Il. A., that he
resolved, without consulting anybody
for advice upon any subject whatever
he had constitutional adherence
to employ that distinguished artist.
Now Mr.. Stumble was painter of the real
site school, he was no respector OF persons,
and held strange views about rank and title.
When, therefore, he saw Lord Stork, with
bis squat, hurley figure, his scarlet face and
bullying manners, he acquired sudden
and intense aversion toward him, which was
by no means mitigatcd by the way In
which his lordship conducted the negotia-
lions.
II want a good picture said Lord Stork;
'none OF your pot boilers knocked off in two
days"
''You shall have one, replied Mr.. Stumble,
feeling much inclined to kick the patron
down stairs. But he reflected that the man
was a splendid subiect-a perfect type of the
uouveau richie.
How many sittings shall you wautp con
tinued his lordship.
''Very few-half dozen at most. ] al
ways do the principal portion OF my por-
traits alone.n
"Thapll suit me-" replied Lord Stork {;
shut, mind, it must be well-hung; and | am
not going 10 pay TIL It's finished. That's
agreed, ehl"
Exactly SO, my lord; we Will begin next
Tuesday, II convenient.
And then his lordship departed with some
genial pleasantly about 'the pots OF money
you painter fellows make nowadays"
Stumble began TO wish once more that he
had not undertaken the commission This
is the sort Of fool who will expect me to flatter
him." he reflected. stll he determined to 20
through with IT, The sittings, therefore,
took place In due course, but during their
progress the artists antipathy toward bis sub
ject became more intense than ever
80 that's all you want, is itp' Said Lord
stork, as he took up his hat on the final occa-
sion.
THAT is all my lord" replied Stumble,
anxious TO terminate the interview.
Jork stork walked across the room, and
looked at himself admiringly in a tall looking
glass
There's bit OF pimple on this cheek, ]
see" he went on, "and nv nose looks a trl6e
red--the east wind you know. You'll see
there's nothing OF that sort in the picture, now
won't youF'
81 hope you will be satisfied"
"Ahl And L pretty good height" Tive feet
three and half inches In high-heeled boots